Why can't we end our lives when we have had enough of suffering? "Enough is enough. I am ready," should be sufficient to guarantee the needs of the vulnerable and desperate are met. If it's not hurting anybody else, what possible objection can there be to choosing the moment to end your life? Today, we are living longer than is natural due to advances in medical technology. This is a wonderful and amazing gift to humanity, but only if the quality of life is reasonable and free from constant pain. When it is not, surely we need to rethink the moral implications of prolonging lives where release would be a blessing. So why can't we choose?
A Case History - a Mother with Dystonia
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder that keeps the patient in constant pain. Victims suffer muscle contractions causing twisting and repetitive movements, or even abnormal postures. A daughter has called for a change in UK law to allow people to die at home. Her mother, Jackie from Brighton, is seventy years old and she longs to be released from her pain by being allowed to commit assisted suicide at home. She hates the thought of having to travel to a foreign clinic. According to the Argus newspaper, she says: "If I was a dog, you would put me down. But at least when I am asleep I'm not in pain. I count the hours until half past eight or nine o'clock comes around. But when I wake in the morning it all starts again."
Daughter, Nina, confirms that even the prescribed medical treatment does not prevent her mother's life from being a cycle of morphine, pain and sadness.
Dignitas: To Live with Dignity / To Die with Dignity
The clinic Dignitas was founded in 1998 at Forch near Zurich in Switzerland. This is a non-commercial organisation which, as set out in its prospectus, is committed to: "...the objective of ensuring a life and a death with dignity for its members and of allowing other people to benefit from these values. Dignitas pursues these objectives by assisting its members everywhere in word and deed, within the limits of the possibilities available to the association and as appropriate for each individual."
Author, Terry Pratchett, who is currently suffering from early Alzheimer's disease and who is campaigning for euthanasia to be made legal in UK, famously made a documentary for the BBC, charting the journey of three people considering taking charge of ending their own lives. Three men with degenerative diseases were featured, Mick and Peter with motor neurone disease, and Andrew who had multiple sclerosis.
Peter Smedley, a hotel owner, was filmed for the documentary drinking the fatal dose of baribiturates, with Dignitas staff and his wife, Christine, by his side. Terry Pratchett was visibly moved and humbled by the experience. Dignitas staff are fully trained to support and accompany people as they take the necessary steps to end their lives. The treatment is painless and fast, and the patient simply falls asleep and passes away. Please see below under sources for Part 1 of the documentary on youtube.com - and then find the remaining parts 2 and 3 if you wish to watch them.
After the documentary was shown, there was an immediate and vigorous backlash from charities, religious groups and politicians, and four peers voiced their disapproval and accused the BBC of being "one-sided," a charge that the BBC, naturally, denies.
Dignitas' Ethics
Yet Dignitas are committed to the prevention of suicide or suicide attempts and Swiss law does not permit otherwise healthy people to end their lives due to psychological disorders, mental instability or simply being "weary of life." Their commitment to those suffering from pain and terminal illness is to counsel patients, to co-operate with patients' physicians, carry out patients' instructions, support patients who are in conflict with nursing homes and also with physicans not specifically chosen by the patient.
To register with Dignitas requires a declaration of membership and currently costs CHF 200 (USD: 140, Euros: 160, GBP: 150) and an annual membership of CHF; 80 (USD: 95, Euros: 65, GBP: 60.) Costs quoted are approximate. Please do not send them any money until membership has been confirmed. Many people do not actually use their final service to end their lives, since the Patients' Instructions are often sufficient to ensure protection in the event of unbearable illness or disability.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources:
- "Call for change in the law to help people die," Staff Reporter, The Argus, 6 December, 2011.
- Dignitas Prospectus, available on application.
- Mail Online Review of BBC Documentary: Choosing to Die 15 June, 2011.
- Dignitas Website
- Choosing to Die, Part One BBC1, 13 June 1011.
Janet Cameron - MA. Cert.Ed. is a retired university lecturer and author of twelve books, women's short fiction and a magazine column.
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